AuthorTopic: Ambient mics for video feed (Read 492 times)

I need to add some room/ambient noise to a video feed. I've read the threads on ambient mics for IEM's-just still tossing around some ideas.

I've considered either a mic or mic(s) on stage facing audience, or hanging choir style mics about 2/3rds of the way back in the room (about 40 ft from platform). Leaning towards hanging mics-but I am asking to learn, not to justify my preference.

The mics I have are directional, so they should reject a lot of the FOH sound. I am also concerned about reflections off the back walls if mics are placed on stage as well as excessive stage noise at times.

Preference for one or multiple?

For now this is for a live theatrical style performance-but may become a permanent service live feed-services are more traditional as far as music and content.

I need to add some room/ambient noise to a video feed. I've read the threads on ambient mics for IEM's-just still tossing around some ideas.

I've considered either a mic or mic(s) on stage facing audience, or hanging choir style mics about 2/3rds of the way back in the room (about 40 ft from platform). Leaning towards hanging mics-but I am asking to learn, not to justify my preference.

The mics I have are directional, so they should reject a lot of the FOH sound. I am also concerned about reflections off the back walls if mics are placed on stage as well as excessive stage noise at times.

Preference for one or multiple?

For now this is for a live theatrical style performance-but may become a permanent service live feed-services are more traditional as far as music and content.

What is the intended purpose of these mics?

If it is for audience reaction (applause) to be included in a broadcast or record mix I would start with a couple placed physically near the main PA pointed out at the audience. The reason you want them near the PA is so any PA audio they do pick up will be very close in time to the direct sound and will not sound like an echo, it will seem to be masked by the direct sound. You will still want to ride the level for big applause moments, but you won't have to take it out entirely so you won't miss any unexpected audience reaction.

If it is to attempt to get audience participation in recitations or choral moments you may want to hang more mics over the audience at several depths, maybe 2 or 3 rows of 3 or 4 mics. You will want them on a VCA/DCA so it is easy to mix them in and out as you will likely not be able to leave them on all the time.

We have a small 250 seat Theatre and when we are recording a performance where the actors are not mic'd we use the Shure Centaverse hanging mics above our stage and one above the audience for reaction. They work well for us.

I need to add some room/ambient noise to a video feed. I've read the threads on ambient mics for IEM's-just still tossing around some ideas.

I've considered either a mic or mic(s) on stage facing audience, or hanging choir style mics about 2/3rds of the way back in the room (about 40 ft from platform). Leaning towards hanging mics-but I am asking to learn, not to justify my preference.

The mics I have are directional, so they should reject a lot of the FOH sound. I am also concerned about reflections off the back walls if mics are placed on stage as well as excessive stage noise at times.

Preference for one or multiple?

For now this is for a live theatrical style performance-but may become a permanent service live feed-services are more traditional as far as music and content.

Primarily to include audience response and reaction in the live feed-and when doing theatrical performances to include some of the stage ambience that is not mic's or pre-recorded.

Thanks to all for the responses-several things were mentioned that I did not know/consider.

One of the facilities I work at uses multiband compression on the audience mics, which engages as the output of the main PA increases. This mitigates most of the PA noise from getting in and gives a good feel for their streaming experience.